Sunday, March 06, 2005

297: Neuroscientists Pinpoint New Function for Mirror Neurons

[T]he UCLA team found that pre‑motor mirror neuron areas of the brain -- areas active during the execution and the observation of an action -- ascribe intentions to actions when presented within a context. Previously, these neurons were thought to be involved only in action recognition.

Understanding this may help treat numerous diseases. It makes sense that the brain structures that recognize actions expanded its function to ascribe intentions to actions. Evolution works by building on existing structures.